Gael Monfils thinks Carlos Alcaraz aims to become a legend of the game and suggests that 20-year-old is on track to win the number of Grand Slams required for the task.
The former world No. 6 also revealed that he saw “something different” in Spaniard after playing him last year. In his only meeting against Alcaraz in 2022 Indian Wells R16 tie, Monfils lost in straight sets 7-5, 6-1, as the former later went on to win the Floridian tournament for his maiden Masters 1000 crown.
The ATP #1 recorded a shock exit from Canadian Open after being beaten by American Tommy Paul 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarters. The 36-year old also fell short in the final eight of Toronto Masters after getting defeated 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 by Italian Jannik Sinner.
Currently ranked 276th on the tour, Monfils who is making a return from wrist injury, discussed his practice session with the Murcia-native in Toronto earlier this week.
“Yeah. Carlos is a great guy. Obviously, a great kid. You know, he’s beginning of a big legend of the tennis, you know. I think definitely a champion already, but it’s, I think his goal is to become a legend like those legends that we have in our game. And it was just a great. It was great,” said the Frenchman in a press conference.
“I played him it was last year, I think I played him last year. And when I finished the match, I told everybody, I said, ‘Whoa, look out. He’s going to be – he is different.’
“When I played him, you know, I felt like his ball was different. His movement was different. His mentality was different. So I could just, I was just happy to just say, it happened to him quick. But I felt his ball already, so I knew he has something different.”
The Frenchman also shared his views on what it takes to become a tennis legend and backed the Spaniard to become one.
“Yeah, I think every player wants to become a champion, legend, whatever. He’s already [a] champion, you know. When you’re [a] champion, for me, when you win Slams, and he already won Slams. And I think he stated already that he wants to win a lot of Grand Slam[s],” continued Monfils.
“You know, to win a lot of Grand Slam[s] is to become a legend. So it’s not even him wants to become a legend. But I think if you want to, if you win more than certain number of Slam[s], you become a legend.
“So I feel like he’s on a track to win the number for him to become a legend. But don’t put pressure on him (smiling).”